I have no clever title for this post, so just read it.

So, I figured I better start updating a wee more often than I have been or else I may have a jealous and saucy tween on my hands some day, seeing that her brother got all the spotlight. 

A few things we've been up to over the past couple months:

-Everett is learning more and more at day care and we couldn't be happier with his "teacher"!  He comes home and sings us the days of the week, talks about letters and shows more and more interest in different foods.  It's amazing, and I love it.

-Greyleigh sounds like a baby velociraptor.  She's a tricky girl.  Half of the time, her squawks and squeals are out of delight and the other half they are in pain from teething or just being pissed that no one is paying attention to her.  Always keeping us on our feet, that girl.

-Curtis got promoted to full time in his job, which means more money, vacay time, and more great experience for his next career---whatever that may be.

-I began a lifestyle change towards being fit and healthy eating.  I've been working out 6 days a week for the last 5 weeks and have been eating about 80/20 clean and whole foods!  It's been easier than I anticipated and I'm kinda liking the changes that are going on and how great and healthy I feel.  I have another "challenge" coming up in a couple weeks that I am excited to dominate in. 

-We've been trying to have G try her solids with rice cereal and I'm not sure if the past few feeding have been too successful as I'm pretty sure most of it was just stuck on her face and not in her mouth.   We've got a little work to do on that next milestone.

-Greyleigh gets dedicated this Sunday.  We are so blessed to have her as a gift in our lives and we are so overjoyed to have the opportunity to publicly dedicate her to Jesus and pray blessings over her.

-Everett is still very obsessed with Sandlot, and Benny "The Jet" Rodriquez.  He about jumped out of his skin in excitement last week when he saw Bruno Mars on TV at the Super Bowl, because in his mind, they are the same person.  Of course.  Not only can Benny play ball, but he's got mad moves and a voice like buttah!

-This last week was National School Counselors week and was finally publically proclaimed by our governor in MN (this, thanks to much of the hard work of our state counselors association and even one of my very esteemed team members!)  It makes me so proud to serve my school in this position and I'm so glad it is being recognized.

Pictures have been few and far between--a fail on my part--but here are a few highlights:

 

For more "raw" snapshots of our life--check out my Instagram feed: lauralilarson

Merry and Bright

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope everyone's Christmas was as warm and cozy as hot cup of cocoa in your hands sitting next to crackling fire listing to Frank Sinatra.

 

As usual, I cannot believe how fast this holiday came and went.  A little bitter sweet as I always look forward to it.  However I am left full and happy. 

 

This was a great year for a 3 year old to celebrate Christmas.  I think he asked about everyday since the beginning of December if he could open presents.  And now after three days of opening presents, I think he is in for a rude awakening when he realizes its all done and he has to wait a whole year! 

 

As Everett seems to be more understanding of the holiday and all that goes on, I really wanted to be more intentional this year with making new traditions and lasting memories.  So much so, that I think I set myself up for failure before even starting.  From the handmade Advent calendar full of activities, to touring around to look at Christmas lights in our PJ's.  It just all went, well, not as I had planned.  I slacked on the advent calendar and the Pinterest-esque Christmas light viewing party was a fail as he was asleep in the care before we even started!  Then there was the whole forgetting to video tape my uber excited 3 year old open presents and see what Santa left.  Or dwelling on the wonder if I put enough emphasis on the real meaning of Christmas or if I let fantasy take over.

 

It's all really a lot of pressure if you ask me--to be a parent and balance between traditions, memory making and keeping it simple.

 

Why do we do that to ourselves?  I think it's just another way for Satan to distract us from what the whole season is about and to make us feel bad for not measuring up to our neighbors and friends and other people we may look up to.  What a joke that Satan is.

 

I told myself to give me a break and to take it one thing at a time next year.  My kids don't care about how many Pinterest things I can create or how well I wrap my presents, or even how many Christmas movies we can cram into December, so why should I? 

 

Sometimes it takes "failing"--or the thought of failure to realize that you haven't even failed at all and that really, it's all just a silly, blown out of proportion thought bubble, and if you let it go---it can't bother you anymore. 

 

So, now that that therapy session is over......  :)

 

I wish you all a very Merry and Bright rest of the holiday season and wish you wellness and happiness into the new year. 2013 was a great year for us Larsons and I have a feeling 2014 has some good things in store too!

Larson family pictures 2013

I am so pleased to show off our friends' incredible talent in capturing our family in a lifestyle shoot last weekend.  I highly encourage you to check him out if you are local and are looking for some special and unique pictures to add to your collection!  Thanks Mark!

It was a fun day of baking cookies and hunting for our Christmas tree.  Of course...as goes with our "lifestyle" there were a few mishaps like spilled juice, shoes falling off feet, and struggling to find the perfect tree, but every imperfection that was captured just makes them that much more hilarious and special to us!

Here are my faves! And umm, there's a lot... :)